Prince Philip is currently staying in isolation at Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Duke of Edinburgh, however, is deemed more vulnerable to COVID-19 because of his many medical issues.
According to Dr. Diana Gall, Prince Philip suffered from bladder infections and needed to be hospitalized because of this condition before. The expert also said that Queen Elizabeth's husband is more vulnerable to coronavirus because of his age.
The Duke of Edinburgh is turning 99 years old this June. COVID-19 has killed more patients above the age of 70 years old, as well as people with medical conditions or weak immunities.
In December, Prince Philip had to stay at a London hospital for four days as a precautionary measure for a pre-existing condition. Buckingham Palace did not detail what this condition was but sources said the hospitalization was planned ahead and the Duke of Edinburgh didn't even have to be aided as he got inside the hospital.
However, Gall still warned that young royals should not be complacent about contracting coronavirus. She advised for every member of the royal family to follow safety precautions as everyone can be infected or become a virus carrier even without showing any symptoms.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are expected to be talking to the royal medical team frequently amid this pandemic. Dr. Anna Hemming said they are likely careful and taking reasonable precautions since both are fragile health-wise, especially the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip left his farming estate in the middle of March to join Queen Elizabeth, who was driven from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle on March 19. Since then, the monarch has called off royal engagements, public appearances and garden parties at her official residence until May.
Reports also stated that Queen Elizabeth was in self-isolation for 14 days upon her arrival to Windsor. She did it for the sake of her vulnerable husband since she was staying in London, the hotbed of the virus in the U.K., and was in a series of engagements before the government said they should limit their movements and face-to-face meetings.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are expected to stay in Windsor for the foreseeable future. Her Majesty has maintained meetings via FaceTime or Skype. There are also precautions in place if the situation escalates.
Staff presence around Windsor was also reduced to at least eight people only. Under normal circumstances, there are actually a hundred of people working for the Queen and her husband on any given day.
